Podcasts about mental health crisis

Send us a textSherry Witwer, board president for CIT Utah, shares her insights on improving crisis response systems for people experiencing mental health emergencies and creating alternatives to incarceration through specialized training and community partnerships.• CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training provides law enforcement with tools to effectively respond to mental health crises and connect individuals with appropriate treatment• Mobile crisis outreach teams staffed by behavioral health providers and peers can handle most crisis calls without police involvement• Receiving centers offer alternatives to jails or emergency rooms, providing specialized assessment and stabilization for those in mental health crisis• Proper training helps officers distinguish between substance use and mental health crises through scenario-based practice and building community partnerships• Access to care remains a significant challenge, particularly coordinating services for people with serious mental illness across different systems• Better case management and peer support services are needed to help individuals navigate complex systems when they're least able to do so independently• Affordable and supportive housing is essential for recovery and breaking cycles of hospitalization and incarceration• Including voices of people with lived experience and families is crucial for designing effective mental health services that people will actually usehttps://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jacqueline Rushin. "The Hidden Hand: How Human Decisions Behind Rapid Technology Deployments Are Driving a Mental Health Crisis." In a world increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics, the promise of a brighter, more efficient future has never seemed closer. Yet, beneath the surface of technological progress lies an unsettling reality: the very systems designed to enhance our lives are also reshaping the essence of what it means to be human—and not always for the better.The Hidden Hand pulls back the curtain on the unseen forces—corporate priorities, societal values, and governmental policies—that drive technological change, often at the expense of mental health, self-identity, and social connection. With over 65 years of combined experience in mental health, addictions counseling, technology, ministry, and holistic health, authors Dr. Jacqueline Rushin and Patrice Alexander, LPC deliver a deeply personal, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between innovation and humanity.Through compelling case studies, statistics, and profound insights, this book exposes: The mental health toll of technological displacement and job loss. How AI-driven systems distort self-identity and erode genuine human connection. The rising epidemic of tech addiction and its impact on individuals and families. The ethical dilemmas of a world where efficiency often trumps empathy. The red flags warning us of these issues and many more. But this is not just a story of challenges—it is also a call to action. The Hidden Hand empowers readers with the tools to navigate a digital age, offering practical strategies to protect mental health, preserve self-worth, and champion human-centric solutions. The Hidden Hand will inspire you to ask bold questions: Are we making choices that elevate humanity, or are we allowing profit and productivity to define our future? How can we reclaim the human element in a world increasingly dominated by machines?This book is not just an exposé—it’s prompts readers to reflect, recalibrate, and act. The Hidden Hand is essential reading for leaders, mental health professionals, technologists, and anyone who cares about safeguarding humanity in the age of AI. The future isn’t shaped by technology, rather by our decisions - the hidden hands. #AMI #BEST #STRAW #SHMS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jacqueline Rushin. "The Hidden Hand: How Human Decisions Behind Rapid Technology Deployments Are Driving a Mental Health Crisis." In a world increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics, the promise of a brighter, more efficient future has never seemed closer. Yet, beneath the surface of technological progress lies an unsettling reality: the very systems designed to enhance our lives are also reshaping the essence of what it means to be human—and not always for the better.The Hidden Hand pulls back the curtain on the unseen forces—corporate priorities, societal values, and governmental policies—that drive technological change, often at the expense of mental health, self-identity, and social connection. With over 65 years of combined experience in mental health, addictions counseling, technology, ministry, and holistic health, authors Dr. Jacqueline Rushin and Patrice Alexander, LPC deliver a deeply personal, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between innovation and humanity.Through compelling case studies, statistics, and profound insights, this book exposes: The mental health toll of technological displacement and job loss. How AI-driven systems distort self-identity and erode genuine human connection. The rising epidemic of tech addiction and its impact on individuals and families. The ethical dilemmas of a world where efficiency often trumps empathy. The red flags warning us of these issues and many more. But this is not just a story of challenges—it is also a call to action. The Hidden Hand empowers readers with the tools to navigate a digital age, offering practical strategies to protect mental health, preserve self-worth, and champion human-centric solutions. The Hidden Hand will inspire you to ask bold questions: Are we making choices that elevate humanity, or are we allowing profit and productivity to define our future? How can we reclaim the human element in a world increasingly dominated by machines?This book is not just an exposé—it’s prompts readers to reflect, recalibrate, and act. The Hidden Hand is essential reading for leaders, mental health professionals, technologists, and anyone who cares about safeguarding humanity in the age of AI. The future isn’t shaped by technology, rather by our decisions - the hidden hands. #AMI #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jacqueline Rushin. "The Hidden Hand: How Human Decisions Behind Rapid Technology Deployments Are Driving a Mental Health Crisis." In a world increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics, the promise of a brighter, more efficient future has never seemed closer. Yet, beneath the surface of technological progress lies an unsettling reality: the very systems designed to enhance our lives are also reshaping the essence of what it means to be human—and not always for the better.The Hidden Hand pulls back the curtain on the unseen forces—corporate priorities, societal values, and governmental policies—that drive technological change, often at the expense of mental health, self-identity, and social connection. With over 65 years of combined experience in mental health, addictions counseling, technology, ministry, and holistic health, authors Dr. Jacqueline Rushin and Patrice Alexander, LPC deliver a deeply personal, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between innovation and humanity.Through compelling case studies, statistics, and profound insights, this book exposes: The mental health toll of technological displacement and job loss. How AI-driven systems distort self-identity and erode genuine human connection. The rising epidemic of tech addiction and its impact on individuals and families. The ethical dilemmas of a world where efficiency often trumps empathy. The red flags warning us of these issues and many more. But this is not just a story of challenges—it is also a call to action. The Hidden Hand empowers readers with the tools to navigate a digital age, offering practical strategies to protect mental health, preserve self-worth, and champion human-centric solutions. The Hidden Hand will inspire you to ask bold questions: Are we making choices that elevate humanity, or are we allowing profit and productivity to define our future? How can we reclaim the human element in a world increasingly dominated by machines?This book is not just an exposé—it’s prompts readers to reflect, recalibrate, and act. The Hidden Hand is essential reading for leaders, mental health professionals, technologists, and anyone who cares about safeguarding humanity in the age of AI. The future isn’t shaped by technology, rather by our decisions - the hidden hands. #AMI #BEST #STRAW #SHMS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jacqueline Rushin. "The Hidden Hand: How Human Decisions Behind Rapid Technology Deployments Are Driving a Mental Health Crisis." In a world increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics, the promise of a brighter, more efficient future has never seemed closer. Yet, beneath the surface of technological progress lies an unsettling reality: the very systems designed to enhance our lives are also reshaping the essence of what it means to be human—and not always for the better.The Hidden Hand pulls back the curtain on the unseen forces—corporate priorities, societal values, and governmental policies—that drive technological change, often at the expense of mental health, self-identity, and social connection. With over 65 years of combined experience in mental health, addictions counseling, technology, ministry, and holistic health, authors Dr. Jacqueline Rushin and Patrice Alexander, LPC deliver a deeply personal, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between innovation and humanity.Through compelling case studies, statistics, and profound insights, this book exposes: The mental health toll of technological displacement and job loss. How AI-driven systems distort self-identity and erode genuine human connection. The rising epidemic of tech addiction and its impact on individuals and families. The ethical dilemmas of a world where efficiency often trumps empathy. The red flags warning us of these issues and many more. But this is not just a story of challenges—it is also a call to action. The Hidden Hand empowers readers with the tools to navigate a digital age, offering practical strategies to protect mental health, preserve self-worth, and champion human-centric solutions. The Hidden Hand will inspire you to ask bold questions: Are we making choices that elevate humanity, or are we allowing profit and productivity to define our future? How can we reclaim the human element in a world increasingly dominated by machines?This book is not just an exposé—it’s prompts readers to reflect, recalibrate, and act. The Hidden Hand is essential reading for leaders, mental health professionals, technologists, and anyone who cares about safeguarding humanity in the age of AI. The future isn’t shaped by technology, rather by our decisions - the hidden hands. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Capitalism Hits Home, Dr. Fraad examines loneliness as a major driver of America's mental health crisis. We explore how socialist and leftist organizing in the past has tackled this issue—and how present-day "12-Step" programs might offer the Left new strategies for reaching and mobilizing Americans.   Learn more about CHH:   We make it a point to provide the show free of ads. Your contributions help keep this content free and accessible to all. If you would like to simply donate one time, you can do so by visiting us at http://www.democracyatwork.info/donate.  Become a monthly donor: http://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

Candace Higgins is a data programmer and senior manager of clinical clinical solutions in the biopharmaceutical space, and mother to Audrey. She so vulnerably walks us through steps she took during a postpartum mental health crisis last year to get help. She has such great awareness around her experience and is so adept at explaining the nuances of postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD, leaving all of us feeling less alone as new moms. Our intention for this episode is for those struggling to access an example roadmap for how to get help, support those in struggle, and shed light on steps you can take, including how to harness the support of those around you. Connect with Candace on LinkedIn Candace on Instagram _____________________________________________ Follow us: TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@kozekozemama⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@kozekozemama ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@garretnwood⁠⁠⁠⁠ SHOP with 20% off, use THANKYOU20 ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.kozekoze.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Need The Nipple Diaper now? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop on Amazon today!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Garrett: garrettkusmierz@kozekoze.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clare Rowe is a child psychologist and podcaster.Are we pathologizing normal emotions? Should every child really be in therapy? And what happens when mental health becomes an identity?Expect to learn; why therapy isn't always the answer, how over-diagnosis and emotional hyper-vigilance can harm resilience, the dangers of “therapist in your pocket” culture, why some children might benefit more from doing hard things than talking about them, how virtue, aspiration, and adversity shape identity, how we can build a mentally tougher, more autonomous generation, and much more.Try my app:Get 20% of MindStrong Sport app subscriptions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindstrongsport.com/checkout⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use code mindstrongpodcast)Get in Touch:⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lewishatchett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lewis_hatchett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To sponsor or contact the show visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.lewishatchett.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

One of the biggest reasons families stay stuck when a loved one is spiraling is this paralyzing question: "Is this addiction... or is it a mental health crisis?" That uncertainty can stop parents, spouses, and siblings from taking action—afraid of labeling it wrong, of pushing too hard, or making things worse. In this episode, we unpack why this question is so common, why it keeps families on the sidelines, and how to move forward even when you don't have all the answers. Danny and Emily answer this question loud and clear—bringing truth, experience, and hope to the heart of the struggle. If you've ever felt torn between compassion and fear, this episode is for you. This episode also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HVczFrj8Om0 Make sure you are following Your Living Proof on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourlivingproof/ Free Mini Course: https://yourlivingproof.com/free-masterclass Our Program: https://yourlivingproof.com/living-proof-program-8007

Dr. Harry Barry, GP and Mental Health Specialist and Dr. Anne Marie Creaven, Dept of Psychology, University of Limerick

“I was more afraid of regret than I was of failing.” — Dr. Eric Arzubi   Imagine having a corner office on Wall Street by age 30, but feeling like something important was missing. In this episode, Dr. Aimie sits down with Dr. Eric Arzubi, who had this exact experience. Despite his success, he felt a deep pull toward something more meaningful. That pull eventually led him to leave finance behind, become a psychiatrist, and take on the challenge of transforming mental health care in Montana through trauma-informed telehealth.  Dr. Arzubi shares his inspiring journey of walking away from financial security to follow a calling, revealing how the fear of lifelong regret ultimately outweighed the fear of change. Through his story, you'll discover why the search for meaningful work can be driven by different emotions and how creating "safe enough" spaces provides the foundation for career change.  In this episode, you'll learn: How to know if fear is trauma or just healthy caution when facing change Why nervous system safety is key for successful career changes Steps for transitioning into a meaningful career Solving mental health access gaps with innovative telehealth solutions How to navigate pushback when changing careers or implementing new ideas And more! Whether you or someone you know is contemplating a career change, this episode offers practical advice for recognizing whether your anxiety is a trauma response or a signal that it's time to move toward a more meaningful path.   Guides, Tools & Resources: Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal - at the time of this recording, The Insider's Circle Book Club is open and pre-orders have gone live. You will receive over $400 worth of bonuses if you pre-order now. And if you've already pre-ordered it on Amazon head over here to receive your bonuses! The Essential Sequence Guide - A guide that provides step-by-step instructions for creating safety in your nervous system while making significant life changes, like career transitions, without triggering trauma responses. It'll give you the insights you need to make lasting change. A Guide For The Chronic Freeze Response - A guide that helps you recognize when your nervous system is stuck in “safe" mode and provides specific ways on how to support your body and create the change you want to create.  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 20: The Connection Between Money, Loneliness, And Trauma Episode 116: The Body Keeps Score: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System with Bessel van der Kolk  Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use or misuse of the content provided in this podcast.  

At Episode #16 of BiM we will address the ongoing public mental health crisis, evaluating governmental and societal responsibilities while exploring evidence-based interventions. We are honored to welcome Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, a renowned psychiatry and addiction specialist, who will share her extensive experience and expertise in addressing systemic barriers and identifying viable pathways forward. Join us for this conversation as we walk through the complexities of our mental healthcare system, discuss strategies to improve access to our most vulnerable populations, and explore ways to drive meaningful, lasting changes.Support the show

What does your diet have to do with your mood? Is mercury in fish really dangerous? Psychiatrist Dr. Drew Ramsey joins Michael Shermer to discuss the science behind nutritional psychiatry and how food, sleep, exercise, and social habits influence brain health. They explore why mental health issues are rising—especially among teens—and what role parenting, social media, and modern lifestyles play. The conversation also covers the effectiveness of SSRIs and other treatments, the role of inflammation in mental health, and the importance of sleep and tracking sleep quality. Drew Ramsey, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and leading voice in Nutritional Psychiatry and integrative mental health. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. For twenty years, he served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University. He has authored four books, including the international bestseller Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety. His new book is Healing the Modern Brain.

Send us a textLeslie Carpenter, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Manager at the Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her journey from concerned mother to dedicated mental health advocate after her son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 19 years ago. She discusses the barriers families face when seeking help for loved ones with severe mental illness and her multi-level approach to creating systemic change.• Leslie advocates at both state and national levels, tracking legislation across all 50 states• Mental health reform requires community-based collaboration, state-level policy changes, and federal action• Creating empathy for those with severe mental illness requires sharing stories and humanizing affected individuals• Current laws often prevent intervention until someone becomes dangerous, causing unnecessary suffering• Progress is happening with Crisis Intervention Team training for police and mental health courts• First responders, including 911 operators, need specialized training to properly handle mental health crises• The 988 crisis line offers an alternative to 911 for mental health emergencies• Hope is crucial - people with severe mental illness can attend college, build careers, and lead fulfilling lives with proper treatmentIf you know anyone who would like to share their story on Why Not Me? The World, send them to TonyMantor.com/Contact. Please tell everyone everywhere about our show and the inspiration our guests provide.https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

In this episode of the Maverick Activation Initiative podcast, host Cal Knight delves into the pressing issue of men's mental health. As societal expectations and misconceptions about masculinity reach a tipping point, Knight challenges the status quo by highlighting the urgent need for emotional and spiritual support for men. The episode explores the contributing factors to the crisis, such as radical feminism, toxic masculinity, and societal coping mechanisms like substance abuse. Knight also underscores the importance of creating safe spaces for men to express vulnerability and heal. With insights into current mental health trends and the potential for communal support, this episode aims to provide a framework for understanding and addressing men's mental health issues, ultimately striving for a balanced and empathetic approach to masculine identity.

Portland police let a knife-wielding maniac run free for THREE DAYS while local businesses lost money and residents fled in terror. Yet another example of absurd 'de-escalation' policies where a man who pepper-sprayed officers and lunged with a knife was deemed 'not a threat to the public.' This video breaks down how police departments nationwide are now refusing mental health calls, creating a dangerous public safety vacuum that affects everyday citizens. When cops won't respond and social workers can't handle violent situations, who exactly is protecting our communities? Is this hands-off approach what taxpayers are funding with their hard-earned money?

Carney vs. Trump! The gloves are really coming off in the Canada/US trade war! Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad west joins us for a riveting conversation around Canada's ever-growing mental health crisis. And finally, mortgage broker Ron Butler comes on to break down some of these really weird trends we're seeing in the real estate sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmakers Courtney and Ted Balaker discuss their latest documentary surrounding the mental health crisis among Gen Z.  Their film based on the  book, The Coddling of the American Mind, by Jonathan Haidt   and Greg Lukianoff, was made to spark critical discussions, including conversations across college campuses. We discuss the alarming trends in Gen Z's mental health, the role of social media, and the impact of educational environments that often prioritize emotional safety over intellectual freedom and critical thinking. Please listen to this enlightening and alarming discussion that will alert you to Gen Z cultural trends. Please share this episode with a friend!  Follow us on Instagram at @meantforyou  Sign up for our newsletter here  Visit our website at www.meantforit.com  Guest ideas? Partnership ideas? Comments? Email us directly at meantforyoupod@gmail.com  

Kevin Curtis, clinical operations director at the Mental Health Crisis Care Center, and Dr. Mike Franz, executive medical director for behavioral health at Regence, talk about the new crisis care center in Utah and what it can teach us about how to best address the national mental health epidemic. 

Statistics project increased cases of mental health illness, including suicide, in Malawi. Government records indicate that 1,984 suicide cases have been reported since 2019. In this podcast, DW's Josey Mahachi talks to Joseph Sukali, a mental health advocate, and DW correspondent Chimwemwe Padatha to understand the leading causes of this crisis.

In this powerful episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with author, researcher, and documentary filmmaker Aly Vredenburgh to unpack the deeper roots of the Gen Z mental health crisis. Forget the surface-level blame on screen time—Aly breaks down how systemic issues, policy failures, and cultural shifts are fueling unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in younger generations. From misunderstood social dynamics to lack of access to preventive care, Aly's fresh and solution-focused insights are a wake-up call for individuals, parents, educators, and policymakers alike. About the Guest:Aly Vredenburgh is an author, sociologist, and advocate for youth mental health. With a master's in social innovation, she challenges the status quo through her book Out of Focus: Why Gen Z's Mental Health Crisis is More Complex Than You Think and her upcoming documentary Crisis Generation. Her mission is to drive awareness and action by tackling mental health with compassion, community, and bold policy reform. Key Takeaways: The Gen Z mental health crisis isn't just about tech—it's rooted in systemic neglect, cultural disconnection, and lack of policy support. Social media isn't the villain—it can be a powerful tool for community, education, and healing when used intentionally. Aly advocates for universal mental health care, more school counselors, and addressing loneliness as public health priorities. Awareness alone isn't enough—real change starts with empathy, purpose, and collective action. Storytelling, especially through film, can transform hearts and policies in ways raw data never could. Connect with Aly: Aly Vredenburgh's WebsiteStay updated on Aly's work and upcoming documentary by following her on social media and exploring her latest book and initiatives. (User to add links here if available)   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?DM on PodMatch:DM Me Here:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avikSubscribe To Newsletter:https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/Join Community:https://nas.io/healthymind   Stay Tuned And Follow Us!YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@healthymind-healthylifeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/podhealth.club/Threads - https://www.threads.net/@podhealth.clubFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymindLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reemachatterjee/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/newandnew/ #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #wellness #GenZmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #crisisgeneration #aly

#218 Today's guest is Dr. Emily Weinstein— a psychologist, author, educator, parent, and longtime tech researcher who co-founded the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has spent over a decade researching the ways today's technologies are shaping and reshaping adolescents' lives. In this episode, we discuss: + how technology & social media affect people differently + common cognitive distortions caused by social media + whether social media is causing the Gen Z mental health crisis+ what parents should know about Gen Z social media use+ social media use in high school & college + if Gen Z really is the “anxious generation” + “grind culture” & how that negatively impacts Gen Z+ how social media causes us to compare ourselves to others+ transitioning from high school to college + the relationship between social media & body image + using technology in school & how that impacts our educations + what Gen Z should know about social media & technologyMENTIONED+ Center for Digital Thriving's Website+ Center for Digital Thriving's Instagram+ Thinking traps glossary+ Tech values resource+ Emily's book SHOP GUEST RECOMMENDATIONS: ⁠https://amzn.to/3A69GOC⁠STARBUCKS GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY: Want coffee on me?! Each month I'll be randomly choosing a winner to receive a Starbucks giftcard! To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a review of the podcast on Spotify and/or Apple Podcasts and DM me on a screenshot of your review on Instagram. Win bonus entries by tagging the podcast on your Instagram story or TikTok! Good luck! LET'S CONNECT+ Instagram (@shepersistedpodcast)+ Website (shepersistedpodcast.com)+ YouTube (Sadie Sutton: She Persisted Podcast)+ Twitter (@persistpodcast)+ Facebook (@shepersistedpodcast)+ TikTok (@shepersistedpodcast)+ inquiries@shepersistedpodcast.com© 2020 She Persisted LLC. This podcast is copyrighted subject matter owned by She Persisted LLC and She Persisted LLC reserves all rights in and to the podcast. Any use without She Persisted LLC's express prior written consent is prohibited.

Dr. Adrian L. Mesa is the founder and CEO of AMP Mental Health. Active within the healthcare field since 2006, he earned his doctorate degree from the University of Miami, and has board certifications by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Aside from AMP, Dr. Mesa is an Army veteran, a father, a fitness enthusiast, and a photographer. Adrian traces the roots of his interest in mental health long before the start of his career. Being a first generation Cuban-American, he saw in real time the repercussions of the stigmas held by the Latino community, and even in his own family, toward those with mental illness. Dr. Mesa saw firsthand how mental illness impacted his uncle, who remains a role model and life mentor to this day and cites him as a frequent source of inspiration.

Dr. T and Truth Fairy welcome Greg Wrenn, a former Alabama state representative and long-time health policy advocate, who shares insights into how he became interested in the therapeutic use of psychedelics through personal research and professional exposure. Greg recently wrote a book called “Mothership” about coral reef research, ecological crisis, and his personal PTSD healing journey with ayahuasca. He discusses portions of the book and his experiences with Truth and Dr. T.  Greg explores the growing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly its potential to help individuals who struggle with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. He addresses the shift from viewing psychedelics as taboo to recognizing their potential under controlled, clinical settings. His personal stories, alongside those shared by Truth, highlight the positive impact psychedelic therapy can have and how his passion for the issue has been fueled. Truth Fairy, Dr. T, and Greg share concerns about the challenges of implementing beneficial psychedelic healing sessions, and they celebrate Greg's integration of tribal and liberating dance into the ayahuasca ceremony. They talk about the importance of regulation, ethical safeguards, and integration of Indigenous practices, and caution against the risks of commercialization. The episode is both vulnerable and informative, painting a hopeful picture of potential healing even in the face of difficult times.“You know, I'm no psychedelic evangelist. I don't think everyone should drink ayahuasca or work with psychedelics. I know I should, I know I need to. And so this is really important for my mission, which is to, I guess, spread a message of love and spread a message of the possibility of planetary healing, because planetary healing happens, at least with humanity, one brain at a time.” - Greg Wrenn__About Greg Wrenn:A former Stegner Fellow and Jones Lecturer at Stanford University, GREG WRENN is the author of the ayahuasca eco-memoir Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder and Crisis, an evidence-based account of his turning to coral reefs and psychedelic plants to heal from childhood trauma, and Centaur (U of Wisconsin Press 2013), which National Book Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes awarded the Brittingham Prize. ​Greg's work has appeared or is forthcoming in HuffPost, The New Republic, Al Jazeera, The Rumpus, LitHub, Writer's Digest, Kenyon Review, New England Review, The Iowa Review, and elsewhere. He has received awards and fellowships from the James Merrill House, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, the Vermont Studio Center, the Poetry Society of America, the Hermitage Artist Retreat, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Spiro Arts Center. On his Mothership book tour, he spoke to audiences around the world, including at Yale School of Medicine, the University of Utah School of Medicine, Vancouver Island University, and the University of Virginia School of Nursing. Greg has also been on numerous podcasts, including Levi Chambers's PRIDE, and was recently interviewed by Emmy Award-winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas on NewsNation​ and by Jane Garvey on Times Radio (UK). ​As an associate English professor at James Madison University, he teaches creative nonfiction, poetry, and environmental literature and directs the JMU Creative Writing Minor. He also teaches in the Memoir Certificate Program at Stanford Continuing Studies. He was educated at Harvard University and Washington University in St. Louis.Greg is currently at work on a follow-up book to Mothership and sending out Homesick, his second poetry collection. A student of ayahuasca since 2019, he is a trained yoga teacher and a PADI Advanced Open Water diver, having explored coral reefs around the world for over 25 years. He and his husband divide their time between the mountains of Virginia and Atlantic Beach, Florida.Website: GregWrenn.comBook: “Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder and Crisis” by Greg Wrenn__Contact Punk Therapy:Patreon: Patreon.com/PunkTherapyWebsite: PunkTherapy.comEmail: info@punktherapy.com Contact Truth Fairy: Email: Truth@PunkTherapy.com

Glenn Packiam talks about how to pastor in an age where no one trusts pastors, the church leader mental health crisis (especially among next-gen leaders), and the difference between being weary and being wounded in leadership.  

When collecting becomes a problem and the importance of cleaning up those things - and relationships that are no longer supporting our mental health.Tuesday at 2 on KCBX

This conversation left me speechless.Bryan Wood isn't just another guy with a “comeback story.” He's a man who spiraled from elite MMA fighter to opioid addiction, heroin use, and prison time, and somehow rebuilt a life that most would've thought was lost forever.In this episode, Bryan opens up about how one back injury became the first domino that led to a full-blown opioid addiction, prescription fraud, and eventually a prison sentence. We talked about how addiction hijacks your brain, the terrifying power of withdrawal, and what it really takes to rebuild your life after you've lost everything, including your marriage, your career, and your freedom.But this isn't just a story of destruction. It's a story of radical accountability, hard-earned healing, and hope.Bryan spent four years behind bars and used that time to reinvent who he was from the inside out. He journaled every day, wrote newspaper articles, created curriculum for inmates, and faced his darkest truths head-on.This is one of the most raw, redemptive, and human conversations I've ever had. If you're struggling, or know someone who is, please listen. Bryan's story might just be the lifeline you or they need.Key Moments:0:00 "Thanksgiving Pill Run"1:44 Bryan Wood Introduction6:40 Doctor Teaches Him to Snort Pills11:07 Buying Pills Off the Street14:48 Switching to Heroin and Prescription Fraud Begins22:20 Courtroom Stunt: Swallowing Heroin to Avoid Charges29:06 Final Relapse in Prison Sparks Transformation34:03 The Guard Who Believed in Him37:17 Turning Himself Into a Machine42:31 Most Influential Person: Nolan45:00 Mental Health Crisis in Prisons51:45 Life Today: Sober, Successful, & Private-Where to find Tyler Hall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchall/ Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tyler-hall-archives-7018241874482122753/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sirTHALL Work with Tyler: https://www.tylerchristianhall.com/

During a recent public hearing hosted by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, lawmakers, mental health professionals, and advocates came together to examine the escalating mental health crisis in the Commonwealth’s rural communities. The hearing, which featured testimony from experts and those with lived experience, laid bare the complex web of challenges facing rural Pennsylvanians—from a lack of providers to geographic isolation and the heavy toll of stigma.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aly Vredenburgh|Author|Researcher|Mental Health Advocate|Policies For ChangeToday, we have a powerful conversation ahead with a guest who is changing the way we think about mental health, advocacy, and systemic change. Aly Vredenburgh is the author of Out of Focus: Why Gen Z's Mental Health Crisis is More Complex Than You Think and the creator of the upcoming documentary Crisis Generation. With a background in sociology and a master's in social innovation, Aly has been at the forefront of youth advocacy, policy change, and education reform. Their work uncovers the deeper, systemic causes of the mental health crisis and offers real-world solutions. Whether it's speaking on mental health policy, social justice, or the next generation's future, Aly brings thought-provoking insights and a call to action. We're thrilled to have them on the show today—welcome, Aly!Link:https://outoffocusbook.com/Support PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini sit down with Tom Cruz — not that Tom Cruz — to talk about the moment that changed everything. A 26-year Army veteran, Tom shares his harrowing story of a seven-hour mental health crisis in which he took his fiancée hostage — an event he doesn't fully remember, but one that would define the next chapter of his life. What followed wasn't a prison sentence — it was a redemption arc powered by compassion, self-awareness, and one woman's extraordinary strength under pressure. Together, Tom and his wife would navigate law enforcement, stigma, the military system, and ultimately, the long journey to healing.Tom now travels the country with his family, sharing their story to change the conversation around suicide prevention, trauma, and firearm responsibility — especially within the military and veteran community. In this episode, you'll hear:How Tom's wife calmly de-escalated a life-or-death situation — without formal trainingThe importance of lived experience in suicide prevention policyThe gray area between law enforcement, mental health, and justiceWhy Tom trains his son to be a part of his support systemThe work Tom does now to bridge police and community through mental health educationSend us a text Walk the Talk America would like to thank our partners who make these conversations possible and want to highlight our top two partner tiers below! Platinum Tier:RugerArmscorGold Tier:NASGWLipsey'sDavidson's

Jess and Scott dive deep into what it means to be the leader your child truly needs—especially when faced with the challenge of raising kids who are often labelled as angry, defiant, or difficult. Whether you're struggling with setting boundaries or simply seeking to understand your child's emotional world, Jess and Scott provide a roadmap to help you lead with empathy, consistency, and a lot of heart. If you want to hear more about being the leader your child needs, check out our interviews with Dr. MacNamara and Dr. Neufeld: Beyond Food: A New Way To Look At Picky Eating And Mealtimes with Dr. Deborah MacNamaraThe Current Children's Mental Health Crisis with Dr. Gordon Neufeld. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We'd love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First  Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Last year, the group Disability Rights Oregon brought suit against Washington County, alleging that when 911 is called for people in mental health crises, it’s often law enforcement officers who respond. The lawsuit claims these officers are more likely to exacerbate a crisis than resolve it. Last week, a federal judge ruled that the case can move forward. Dave Boyer, managing attorney for the Mental Health Rights Project at DRO, joins us to lay out their claims.

Today's guest is Peter Moskos, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He spent two years as a police officer in Baltimore. I asked him to come on and talk about his new book, Back from the Brink, Inside the NYPD and New York City's Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop. It's one of my favorite books I've read this year (and it was one of my three book recommendations on Ezra Klein's show last week).Peter spoke with hundreds of police officers and NYC officials to understand and describe exactly how the city's leaders in the early 1990s managed to drive down crime so successfully.We discussed:* How bad did things get in the 1970s?* Why did processing an arrest take so long?* What did Bill Bratton and other key leaders do differently?* How did police get rid of the squeegee men?I've included my reading list at the bottom of this piece. Thanks to Harry Fletcher-Wood for his judicious transcript edits.Subscribe for one new interview a week.Peter, how would you describe yourself?I would say I'm a criminologist: my background is sociology, but I am not in the sociology department. I'm not so big on theory, and sociology has a lot of theory. I was a grad student at Harvard in sociology and worked as a police officer [in Baltimore] and that became my dissertation and first book, Cop in the Hood. I've somewhat banked my career on those 20 months in the police department.Not a lot of sociologists spend a couple of years working a police beat.It's generally frowned upon, both for methodological reasons and issues of bias. But there is also an ideological opposition in a lot of academia to policing. It's seen as going to the dark side and something to be condemned, not understood.Sociologists said crime can't go down unless we fix society first. It's caused by poverty, racism, unemployment, and social and economic factors — they're called the root causes. But they don't seem to have a great impact on crime, as important as they are. When I'm in grad school, murders dropped 30-40% in New York City. At the same time, Mayor Giuliani is slashing social spending, and poverty is increasing. The whole academic field is just wrong. I thought it an interesting field to get into.We're going to talk about your new book, which is called Back from the Brink, Inside the NYPD and New York City's Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop. I had a blast reading it. Tell me about the process of writing it.A lot of this is oral history, basically. But supposedly people don't like buying books that are called oral histories. It is told entirely from the perspective of police officers who were on the job at the time. I would not pretend I talked to everyone, because there were 30,000+ cops around, but I spoke to many cops and to all the major players involved in the 1990s crime drop in New York City.I was born in the ‘90s, and I had no idea about a crazy statistic you cite: 25% of the entire national crime decline was attributable to New York City's crime decline.In one year, yeah. One of the things people say to diminish the role of policing is that the crime drop happened everywhere — and it did end up happening almost everywhere. But I think that is partly because what happened in New York City was a lot of hard work, but it wasn't that complicated. It was very easy to propagate, and people came to New York to find out what was going on. You could see results, literally in a matter of months.It happened first in New York City. Really, it happened first in the subways and that's interesting, because if crime goes down in the subways [which, at the time, fell under the separate New York City Transit Police] and not in the rest of the city, you say, “What is going on in the subways that is unique?” It was the exact same strategies and leadership that later transformed the NYPD [New York Police Department].Set the scene: What was the state of crime and disorder in New York in the ‘70s and into the ‘80s?Long story short, it was bad. Crime in New York was a big problem from the late ‘60s up to the mid ‘90s, and the ‘70s is when the people who became the leaders started their careers. So these were defining moments. The city was almost bankrupt in 1975 and laid off 5,000 cops; 3,000 for a long period of time. That was arguably the nadir. It scarred the police department and the city.Eventually, the city got its finances in order and came to the realization that “we've got a big crime problem too.” That crime problem really came to a head with crack cocaine. Robberies peaked in New York City in 1980. There were above 100,000 robberies in 1981, and those are just reported robberies. A lot of people get robbed and just say, “It's not worth it to report,” or, “I'm going to work,” or, “Cops aren't going to do anything.” The number of robberies and car thefts was amazingly high. The trauma, the impact on the city and on urban space, and people's perception of fear, all comes from that. If you're afraid of crime, it's high up on the hierarchy of needs.To some extent, those lessons have been lost or forgotten. Last year there were 16,600 [robberies], which is a huge increase from a few years ago, but we're still talking an 85% reduction compared to the worst years. It supposedly wasn't possible. What I wanted to get into in Back from the Brink was the actual mechanisms of the crime drop. I did about fifty formal interviews and hundreds of informal interviews building the story. By and large, people were telling the same story.In 1975, the city almost goes bankrupt. It's cutting costs everywhere, and it lays off more than 5,000 cops, about 20% of the force, in one day. There's not a new police academy class until 1979, four years later. Talk to me about where the NYPD was at that time.They were retrenched, and the cops were demoralized because “This is how the city treats us?” The actual process of laying off the cops itself was just brutal: they went to work, and were told once they got to work that they were no longer cops. “Give me your badge, give me your gun."The city also was dealing with crime, disorder, and racial unrest. The police department was worried about corruption, which was a legacy of the Knapp Commission [which investigated NYPD corruption] and [Frank] Serpico [a whistleblowing officer]. It's an old police adage, that if you don't work, you can't get in trouble. That became very much the standard way of doing things. Keep your head low, stay out of trouble, and you'll collect your paycheck and go home.You talk about the blackout in 1977, when much of the city lost power and you have widespread looting and arson. 13,000 off-duty cops get called in during the emergency, and only about 5,000 show up, which is a remarkable sign of the state of morale.The person in my book who's talking about that is Louis Anemone. He showed up because his neighbor and friend and partner was there, and he's got to help him. It was very much an in-the-foxholes experience. I contrast that with the more recent blackout, in which the city went and had a big block party instead. That is reflective of the change that happened in the city.In the mid-80s you get the crack cocaine epidemic. Talk to me about how police respond.From a political perspective, that era coincided with David Dinkins as [New York City's first black] mayor. He was universally disliked, to put it mildly, by white and black police officers alike. He was seen as hands off. He was elected in part to improve racial relations in New York City, to mitigate racial strife, but in Crown Heights and Washington Heights, there were riots, and racial relations got worse. He failed at the level he was supposed to be good at. Crime and quality of life were the major issues in that election.Dinkins's approach to the violence is centered around what they called “community policing.” Will you describe how Dinkins and political leaders in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s thought about policing?This is under Ben Ward, the [NYPD] Commissioner at the time. The mayor appoints the police commissioner — and the buck does stop with the mayor — but the mayor is not actively involved in day-to-day operations. That part does go down to the police department.Community policing was seen as an attempt to improve relations between the police and the community. The real goal was to lessen racial strife and unrest between black (and to a lesser extent Hispanic) communities and the NYPD. Going back to the ‘60s, New York had been rocked by continued unrest in neighborhoods like Central Harlem, East New York, and Bushwick. Community policing was seen as saying that police are partly to blame, and we want to improve relations. Some of it was an attempt to get the community more involved in crime fighting.It's tough. It involves a certain rosy view of the community, but that part of the community isn't causing the problems. It avoids the fact there are people who are actively criming and are willing to hurt people who get in their way. Community policing doesn't really address the active criminal element, that is a small part of any community, including high-crime communities.Arrests increased drastically during this era, more than in the ‘90s with broken windows policing. If the idea is to have fewer arrests, it didn't happen in the ‘80s. Some good came out of it, because it did encourage cops to be a bit more active and cops are incentivized by overtime. Arrests were so incredibly time-consuming, which kind of defeated the purpose of community policing. If you made an arrest in that era, there was a good chance you might spend literally 24 hours processing the arrest.Will you describe what goes into that 24 hours?From my experience policing in Baltimore, I knew arrests were time-consuming and paperwork redundant, but I could process a simple arrest in an hour or two. Even a complicated one that involved juveniles and guns and drugs, we're talking six to eight hours.In the ‘80s, Bob Davin, [in the] Transit Police, would say they'd make an arrest, process at the local precinct, search him in front of a desk officer, print him, and then they would have to get a radio car off patrol to drive you down to central booking at 100 Centre Street [New York City Criminal Court]. Then they would fingerprint him. They didn't have the live scan fingerprints machine, it was all ink. It had to be faxed up to Albany and the FBI to see if it hit on any warrant federally and for positive identification of the person. Sometimes it took 12 hours to have the prints come back and the perp would be remanded until that time. Then you'd have to wait for the prosecutor to get their act together and to review all the paperwork. You couldn't consider bail unless the prints came back either positive or negative and then you would have that initial arraignment and the cop could then go home. There are a lot of moving parts, and they moved at a glacial pace.The system often doesn't work 24/7. A lot of this has changed, but some of it was having to wait until 9 am for people to show up to go to work, because it's not a single system. The courts, the jails, and policing all march to their own drummer, and that created a level of inefficiency.So much of the nitty-gritty of what cops actually do is boring, behind-the-scenes stuff: How do we speed up the paperwork? Can we group prisoners together? Can we do some of this at the police station instead of taking it downtown? Is all of this necessary? Can we cooperate with the various prosecutors? There are five different prosecutors in New York City, one for each borough.There's not a great incentive to streamline this. Cops enjoyed the overtime. That's one of the reasons they would make arrests. So during this time, if a cop makes an arrest for drug dealing, that cop is gone and no cop was there to replace him. If it's a minor arrest, there's a good chance in the long run charges will be dropped anyway. And you're taking cops off the street. In that sense, it's lose-lose. But, you have to think, “What's the alternative?”Bob Davin is a fascinating guy. There's a famous picture from 1981 by Martha Cooper of two cops on a subway train. It's graffitied up and they're in their leather jackets and look like cops from the ‘70s. Martha Cooper graciously gave me permission to use the picture, but she said, "You have to indemnify me because I don't have a release form. I don't know who the cops are." I said, "Martha, I do know who the cop is, because he's in my book and he loves the picture.” Bob Davin is the cop on the right.Davin says that things started to get more efficient. They had hub sites in the late ‘80s or ‘90s, so precincts in the north of Manhattan could bring their prisoners there, and you wouldn't have to take a car out of service to go back to Central Booking and deal with traffic. They started collecting prisoners and bringing them en masse on a small school bus, and that would cut into overtime. Then moving to electronic scan fingerprints drastically saves time waiting for those to come back.These improvements were made, but some of them involve collective bargaining with unions, to limit overtime and arrests that are made for the pure purpose of overtime. You want cops making arrests for the right reason and not simply to make money. But boy, there was a lot of money made in arrests.In 1991, you have the infamous Crown Heights riot in Brooklyn. Racial tensions kick off. It's a nightmare for the mayor, there's this sense that he has lost control. The following year, you have this infamous police protest at City Hall where it becomes clear the relationship between the cops and the mayor has totally evaporated. How does all that play into the mayoral race between Dinkins and Giuliani?It was unintentional, but a lot of the blame for Crown Heights falls on the police department. The part of the story that is better known is that there was a procession for a Hasidic rabbi that was led by a police car. He would go to his wife's grave, and he got a little three-car motorcade. At some point, the police look at this and go "Why are we doing this? We're going to change it." The man who made the deal said ‘I"m retiring in a couple weeks, can we just leave it till then? Because I gave him my word." They're like, "Alright, whatever."This motor car procession is then involved in a car crash, and a young child named Gavin Cato is killed, and another girl is severely injured. The volunteer, Jewish-run ambulance shows up and decides they don't have the equipment: they call for a professional city ambulance. Once that ambulance is on the way, they take the mildly-injured Jewish people to the hospital. The rumor starts that the Jewish ambulance abandoned the black children to die.This isn't the first incident. There's long been strife over property and who the landlord is. But this was the spark that set off riots. A young Jewish man was randomly attacked on the street and was killed.As an aside, he also shouldn't have died, but at the hospital they missed internal bleeding.Meanwhile, the police department has no real leadership at the time. One chief is going to retire, another is on vacation, a third doesn't know what he's doing, and basically everyone is afraid to do anything. So police do nothing. They pull back, and you have three days of very anti-Semitic riots. Crowds chanting "Kill the Jews" and marching on the Lubavitch Hasidic Headquarters. Al Sharpton shows up. The riots are blamed on Dinkins, which is partly fair, but a lot of that's on the NYPD. Finally, the mayor and the police commissioner go to see what's going on and they get attacked. It's the only time in New York City history that there's ever been an emergency call from the police commissioner's car. People are throwing rocks at it.It took three days to realise this, but that's when they say “We have to do something here,” and they gather a group of officers who later become many of Bratton's main chiefs at the time [Bill Bratton was Commissioner of the NYPD from 1994-1996, under Giuliani]: Mike Julian, Louis Anemone, Ray Kelly, and [John] Timoney. They end the unrest in a day. They allow people to march, they get the police department to set rules. It still goes on for a bit, but no one gets hurt after that, and that's it.It was a huge, national story at the time, but a lot of the details were not covered. Reporters were taken from their car and beaten and stripped. The significance was downplayed at the time, especially by the New York Times, I would say.That's followed by the Washington Heights riots, which is a different story. A drug dealer was shot and killed by cops. There were rumors, which were proven to be false, that he was executed and unarmed. Then there were three days of rioting there. It wasn't quite as severe, but 53 cops were hurt, 120 stores were set on fire, and Mayor Dinkins paid for the victim's family to go to the Dominican Republic for the funeral. The police perspective again was, “You're picking the wrong side here.”Then there's the so-called Police Riot at City Hall. Nominally, it was about the CCRB, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and setting up an accountability mechanism to control cops. But really it was just an anti-Dinkins protest. It was drunken and unruly. The cops stormed the steps of City Hall. I have the account of one of the cops who was on the top of those steps looking at this mob of cops storming to him, and he's getting worried he's going to be killed in a crush. There were racist chants from off-duty cops in the crowd. It did not reflect well on police officers. But it showed this hatred of David Dinkins, who was seen as siding with criminals and being anti-police. The irony is that Dinkins is the one who ends up hiring all the cops that Giuliani gets credit for.In the “Safe Streets, Safe City” program?Yes. That was because a white tourist, Brian Watkins, was killed in a subway station protecting his parents who were getting robbed. That led to the famous headline [in the New York Post] of “Dave, do something! Crime-ravaged city cries out for help.” He, with City Council President Peter Vallone, Sr., drafted and pushed through this massive hiring of police officers, “Safe Streets, Safe City.”The hiring wasn't fast-tracked. It might be because Dinkins's people didn't really want more cops. But it was a Dinkins push that got a massive hiring of cops. When the first huge class of police officers graduated, Bill Bratton was there and not David Dinkins.Some interviewees in your book talk about how there's physically not enough room in the police academies at this time, so they have to run classes 24/7. You cycle cohorts in and out of the same classroom, because there are too many new cops for the facilities.You have thousands of cops going through it at once. Everyone describes it as quite a chaotic scene. But it would have been hard to do what the NYPD did without those cops. Ray Kelly, who was police commissioner under Dinkins at the end [from 1992 to 1994] before he became police commissioner for 12 years under Bloomberg [from 2002 to 2013] probably could have done something with those cops too, but he never had the chance, because the mayoral leadership at the time was much more limiting in what they wanted cops to do.Crime starts declining slowly in the first few years of the ‘90s under Dinkins, and then in ‘93 Giuliani wins a squeaker of a mayoral election against Dinkins.One of the major issues was the then-notorious “squeegee men” of New York City. These were guys who would go to cars stopped at bridges and tunnel entrances and would rub a squeegee over the windshield asking for money. It was unpleasant, intimidating, and unwanted, and it was seen as one of those things that were just inevitable. Like graffiti on the subway in the ‘80s. Nothing we can do about it because these poor people don't have jobs or housing or whatever.The irony is that Bratton and Giuliani were happy to take credit for that, and it was an issue in the mayoral campaign, but it was solved under David Dinkins and Ray Kelly and Mike Julian with the help of George Kelling [who, with James Wilson, came up with broken windows theory]. But they never got credit for it. One wonders if, had they done that just a few months earlier, it would have shifted the entire campaign and we'd have a different course of history in New York City.It's a great example of a couple of things that several people in your book talk about. One is that disorder is often caused by a very small set of individuals. There's only like 70 squeegee men, yet everybody sees them, because they're posted up at the main tunnel and bridge entrances to Manhattan. And getting them off the streets solves the problem entirely.Another emphasis in the book is how perceptions of crime are central. You quote Jack Maple, the father of Compstat, as saying, “A murder on the subway counts as a multiple murder up on the street, because everybody feels like that's their subway.” The particular locations of crimes really affect public perception.Absolutely. Perception is reality for a lot of these things, because most people aren't victimized by crime. But when people perceive that no one is in control they feel less safe. It's not that this perception is false, it just might not be directly related to an actual criminal act.The other thing I try to show is that it's not just saying, “We've got to get rid of squeegee men. How do you do it?” They had tried before, but this is why you need smart cops and good leadership, because it's a problem-solving technique, and the way to get rid of graffiti is different to the way you get rid of squeegee men.This book is in opposition to those who just say, “We can't police our way out of this problem.” No, we can. We can't police our way out of every problem. But if you define the problem as, we don't want people at intersections with squeegees, of course we can police our way out of the problem, using legal constitutional tools. You need the political will. And then the hard work starts, because you have to figure out how to actually do it.Will you describe how they tackle the squeegee men problem?Mike Julian was behind it. They hired George Kelling, who's known for broken windows. They said, “These people are here to make money. So to just go there and make a few arrests isn't going to solve the problem.” First of all, he had to figure out what legal authority [to use], and he used Traffic Reg 44 [which prohibits pedestrians from soliciting vehicle occupants]. He talked to Norm Siegel of the NYCLU [New York Civil Liberties Union] about this, who did not want this crackdown to happen. But Norman said, “Okay, this is the law, I can't fight that one. You're doing it legally. It's all in the books.” And So that took away that opposition.But the relentless part of it is key. First they filmed people. Then, when it came to enforcement, they warned people. Then they cited people, and anybody that was left they arrested. They did not have to arrest many people, because the key is they did this every four hours. It was that that changed behavior, because even a simple arrest isn't going to necessarily deter someone if it's a productive way to make money. But being out there every four hours for a couple of weeks or months was enough to get people to do something else. What that something else is, we still don't know, but we solved the squeegee problem.So in 93, Giuliani is elected by something like 50,000 votes overall. Just as an aside, in Prince of the City, Fred Siegel describes something I had no idea about. There's a Puerto Rican Democratic Councilman who flips and supports Giuliani. Mayor Eric Adams, who at the time was the head of a nonprofit for black men in law enforcement, calls him a race traitor for doing that and for being married to a white woman. There was a remarkable level of racial vitriol in that race that I totally missed.10 years ago when I started this, I asked if I could interview then-Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams, and he said yes, and the interview kept getting rescheduled, and I said, “Eh, I don't need him.” It's a regret of mine. I should have pursued that, but coulda, woulda, shoulda.Giuliani is elected, and he campaigns very explicitly on a reducing crime and disorder platform. And he hires Bill Bratton. Tell me about Bratton coming on board as NYPD commissioner.Bratton grew up in Boston, was a police officer there, became head of the New York City Transit Police when that was a separate police department. Right before he becomes NYPD Commissioner, he's back in Boston, as the Chief of Police there, and there is a movement among certain people to get Bratton the NYC job. They succeed in that, and Bratton is a very confident man. He very much took a broken windows approach and said, “We are going to focus on crime.” He has a right-hand man by the name of Jack Maple who he knows from the Transit Police. Maple is just a lieutenant in transit, and Bratton makes him the de facto number two man in the police department.Jack Maple passed away in 2001 and I didn't know what I was going to do, because it's hard to interview a man who's no longer alive. Chris Mitchell co-wrote Jack Maple's autobiography called Crime Fighter and he graciously gave me all the micro-cassettes of the original interviews he conducted with Maple around 1998. Everyone has a Jack Maple story. He's probably the most important character in Back from the Brink.Jack Maple comes in, no one really knows who he is, no one respects him because he was just a lieutenant in Transit. He goes around and asks a basic question — this is 1994 — he says, “How many people were shot in New York City in 1993?” And nobody knows. That is the state of crime-fighting in New York City before this era. There might have been 7,000 people shot in New York City in 1990 and we just don't know, even to this day.One citation from your book: in 1993, an average of 16 people were shot every day. Which is just remarkable.And remember, shootings have been declining for two or three years before that! But nobody knew, because they weren't keeping track of shootings, because it's not one of the FBI Uniform Crime Report [which tracks crime data nationally] index crimes. But wouldn't you be curious? It took Jack Maple to be curious, so he made people count, and it was findable, but you had to go through every aggravated assault and see if a gun was involved. You had to go through every murder from the previous year and see if it was a shooting. He did this. So we only have shooting data in New York City going back to 1993. It's just a simple process of caring.The super-short version of Back from the Brink is it was a change in mission statement: “We're going to care about crime.” Because they hadn't before. They cared about corruption, racial unrest, brutality, and scandal. They cared about the clearance rate for robbery a bit. You were supposed to make three arrests for every ten robberies. It didn't matter so much that you were stopping a pattern or arresting the right person, as long as you had three arrests for every ten reported crimes, that was fine.This is a story about people who cared. They're from this city — Bratton wasn't, but most of the rest are. They understood the trauma of violence and the fact that people with families were afraid to go outside, and nobody in the power structure seemed to care. So they made the NYPD care about this. Suddenly, the mid-level police executives, the precinct commanders, had to care. and the meetings weren't about keeping overtime down, instead they were about ”What are you doing to stop this shooting?”Tell listeners a little bit more about Jack Maple, because he's a remarkable character, and folks may not know what a kook he was.I think he was a little less kooky than he liked to present. His public persona was wearing a snazzy cat and spats and dressing like a fictional cartoon detective from his own mind, but he's a working-class guy from Queens who becomes a transit cop.When Bratton takes over, he writes a letter up the chain of command saying this is what we should do. Bratton read it and said, “This guy is smart.” Listening to 80 hours of Jack Maple, everyone correctly says he was a smart guy, but he had a very working-class demeanor and took to the elite lifestyle. He loved hanging out and getting fancy drinks at the Plaza Hotel. He was the idea man of the NYPD. Everyone has a Jack Maple imitation. “You're talking to the Jackster,” he'd say. He had smart people working under him who were supportive of this. But it was very much trying to figure out as they went along, because the city doesn't stop nor does it sleep.He was a bulls***er, but he's the one who came up with the basic outline of the strategy of crime reduction in New York City. He famously wrote it on a napkin at Elaine's, and it said, “First, we need to gather accurate and timely intelligence.” And that was, in essence, CompStat. “Then, we need to deploy our cops to where they need to be.” That was a big thing. He found out that cops weren't working: specialized units weren't working weekends and nights when the actual crime was happening. They had their excuses, but basically they wanted a cushy schedule. He changed that. Then, of course, you have to figure out what you're doing, what the effective tactics are. Then, constant follow up and assessment.You can't give up. You can't say “Problem solved.” A lot of people say it wasn't so much if your plan didn't work, you just needed a Plan B. It was the idea that throwing your hands in the air and saying, “What are you going to do?” that became notoriously unacceptable under Chief Anemone's stern demeanor at CompStat. These were not pleasant meetings. Those are the meetings that both propagated policies that work and held officers accountable. There was some humiliation going on, so CompStat was feared.Lots of folks hear CompStat and think about better tracking of crime locations and incidents. But as you flesh out, the meat on the bones of CompStat was this relentless follow-up. You'd have these weekly meetings early in the morning with all the precinct heads. There were relentless asks from the bosses, “What's going on in your district or in your precinct? Can you explain why this is happening? What are you doing to get these numbers down?” And follow-ups the following week or month. It was constant.CompStat is often thought of as high-tech computer stuff. It wasn't. There was nothing that couldn't have been done with old overhead projectors. It's just that no one had done it before. Billy Gorta says it's a glorified accountability system at a time when nobody knew anything about computers. Everyone now has access to crime maps on a computer. It was about actually gathering accurate, timely data.Bratton was very concerned that these numbers had to be right. It was getting everyone in the same room and saying, “This is what our focus is going to be now.” And getting people to care about crime victims, especially when those crime victims might be unsympathetic because of their demeanor, criminal activity, or a long arrest record. “We're going to care about every shooting, we're going to care about every murder.”Part of it was cracking down on illegal guns. There were hundreds of tactics. The federal prosecutors also played a key role. It was getting this cooperation. Once it started working and Giuliani made it a major part of claiming success as mayor, suddenly everyone wanted to be part of this, and you had other city agencies trying to figure it out. So it was a very positive feedback loop, once it was seen as a success.When Bratton came on the job, he said, “I'm going to bring down crime 15%.” No police commissioner had ever said that before. In the history of policing before 1994, no police commissioner ever promised a double-digit reduction in crime or even talked about it. People said “That's crazy.” It was done, and then year after year. That's the type of confidence that they had. They were surprised it worked as well as it did, but they all had the sense that there's a new captain on this ship, and we're trying new things. It was an age of ideas and experiment.And it was a very short time.That's the other thing that surprised me. Giuliani fired Bratton in the middle of ‘96.It's remarkable. Bratton comes in ‘94, and August 1994 is where you see crime drop off a cliff. You have this massive beginning of the reduction that continues.That inflection point is important for historical knowledge. I don't address alternatives that other people have proposed [to explain the fall in crime] — For example, the reduction in lead [in gasoline, paint, and water pipes] or legalized abortion with Roe v. Wade [proposed by Stephen Dubner].Reasonable people can differ. Back from the Brink focuses on the police part of the equation. Today, almost nobody, except for a few academics, says that police had nothing to do with the crime drop. That August inflection is key, because there is nothing in a lagged time analysis going back 20 years that is going to say that is the magic month where things happened. Yet if you look at what happened in CompStat, that's the month they started getting individual officer data, and noticing that most cops made zero arrests, and said, “Let's get them in the game as well.” And that seemed to be the key; that's when crime fell off the table. The meetings started in April, I believe, but August is really when the massive crime drop began.To your point about the confidence that crime could be driven down double digits year over year, there's a great quote you have from Jack Maple, where he says to a fellow cop, “This is going to be like shooting fish in a barrel. As long as we have absolute control, we can absolutely drive this number into the floor.”One detail I enjoyed was that Jack Maple, when he was a transit cop, would camp out under a big refrigerator box with little holes cut out for eyes and sit on the subway platform waiting for crooks.For people who are interested in Jack Maple, it is worth reading his autobiography, Crime Fighter. Mike Daly wrote New York's Finest, which uses the same tapes that I had access to, and he is much more focused on that. He's actually the godfather of Jack Maple's son, who is currently a New York City police officer. But Maple and co were confident, and it turned out they were right.As well as having changes in tactics and approach and accountability across the NYPD, you also have a series of specific location cleanups. You have a specific initiative focused on the Port Authority, which is a cesspool at the time, an initiative in Times Square, the Bryant Park cleanup, and then Giuliani also focuses on organized crime on the Fulton Fish Market, and this open-air market in Harlem.I was struck that there was both this general accountability push in the NYPD through CompStat, and a relentless focus on cleaning up individual places that were hubs of disorder.I'm not certain the crime drop would have happened without reclamation of public spaces and business improvement districts. Bryant Park's a fascinating story because Dan Biederman, who heads the Corporation, said, “People just thought it was like a lost cause, this park can't be saved. The city is in a spiral of decline.” He uses Jane Jacobs' “eyes on the street” theory and then George Kelling and James Q. Wilson's broken windows theory. The park has money — not city money, but from local property owners — and it reopens in 1991 to great acclaim and is still a fabulous place to be. It showed for the first time that public space was worth saving and could be saved. New York City at the time needed that lesson. It's interesting that today, Bryant Park has no permanent police presence and less crime. Back in the ‘80s, Bryant Park had an active police presence and a lot more crime.The first class I ever taught when I started at John Jay College in 2004, I was talking about broken windows. A student in the class named Jeff Marshall, who is in my book, told me about Operation Alternatives at the Port Authority. He had been a Port Authority police officer at the time, and I had not heard of this. People are just unaware of this part of history. It very much has lessons for today, because in policing often there's nothing new under the sun. It's just repackaged, dusted off, and done again. The issue was, how do we make the Port Authority safe for passengers? How do we both help and get rid of people living in the bus terminal? It's a semi-public space, so it makes it difficult. There was a social services element about it, that was Operational Alternatives. A lot of people took advantage of that and got help. But the flip side was, you don't have to take services, but you can't stay here.I interviewed the manager of the bus terminal. He was so proud of what he did. He's a bureaucrat, a high-ranking one, but a port authority manager. He came from the George Washington Bridge, which he loved. And he wonders, what the hell am I going to do with this bus terminal? But the Port Authority cared, because they're a huge organization and that's the only thing with their name on it — They also control JFK Airport and bridges and tunnels and all the airports, but people call the bus terminal Port Authority.They gave him almost unlimited money and power and said, “Fix it please, do what you've got to do,” and he did. It was environmental design, giving police overtime so they'd be part of this, a big part of it was having a social service element so it wasn't just kicking people out with nowhere to go.Some of it was also setting up rules. This also helped Bratton in the subway, because this happened at the same time. The court ruled that you can enforce certain rules in the semi-public spaces. It was not clear until this moment whether it was constitutional or not. To be specific, you have a constitutional right to beg on the street, but you do not have a constitutional right to beg on the subway. That came down to a court decision. Had that not happened, I don't know if in the long run the crime drop would have happened.That court decision comes down to the specific point that it's not a free-speech right on the subway to panhandle, because people can't leave, because you've got them trapped in that space.You can't cross the street to get away from it. But it also recognized that it wasn't pure begging, that there was a gray area between aggressive begging and extortion and robbery.You note that in the early 1990s, one-third of subway commuters said they consciously avoided certain stations because of safety, and two thirds felt coerced to give money by aggressive panhandling.The folks in your book talk a lot about the 80/20 rule applying all over the place. That something like 20% of the people you catch are committing 80% of the crimes.There's a similar dynamic that you talk about on the subways, both in the book and in your commentary over the past couple years about disorder in New York. You say approximately 2,000 people with serious mental illness are at risk for street homelessness, and these people cycle through the cities, streets, subways, jails, and hospitals.What lessons from the ‘90s can be applied today for both helping those people and stopping them being a threat to others?Before the ‘80s and Reagan budget cuts there had been a psychiatric system that could help people. That largely got defunded. [Deinstitutionalization began in New York State earlier, in the 1960s.] We did not solve the problem of mental health or homelessness in the ‘90s, but we solved the problem of behavior. George Kelling [of broken windows theory] emphasized this repeatedly, and people would ignore it. We are not criminalizing homelessness or poverty. We're focusing on behavior that we are trying to change. People who willfully ignore that distinction almost assume that poor people are naturally disorderly or criminal, or that all homeless people are twitching and threatening other people. Even people with mental illness can behave in a public space.Times have changed a bit. I think there are different drugs now that make things arguably a bit worse. I am not a mental health expert, but we do need more involuntary commitment, not just for our sake, but for theirs, people who need help. I pass people daily, often the same person, basically decomposing on a subway stop in the cold. They are offered help by social services, and they say no. They should not be allowed to make that choice because they're literally dying on the street in front of us. Basic humanity demands that we be a little more aggressive in forcing people who are not making rational decisions, because now you have to be an imminent threat to yourself or others. That standard does need to change. But there also need to be mental health beds available for people in this condition.I don't know what the solution is to homelessness or mental health. But I do know the solution to public disorder on the subway and that's, regardless of your mental state or housing status, enforcing legal, constitutional rules, policing behavior. It does not involve locking everybody up. It involves drawing the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It's amazing how much people will comply with those rules.That presents the idea that someone's in charge, it's not a free-for-all. You get that virtuous loop, which New York had achieved in 2014–2016, when crime was at an all-time low in the city. Then the politicians decided public order wasn't worth preserving anymore. These are political choices.I had a similar version of this conversation with a friend who was shocked that there were zero murders on the subway in 2017 and that that number was stable: you had one or two a year for several years in the mid-2010s.It was five or fewer a year from 1997 to 2019, and often one or two. Then you have zero in 2017. There were [ten in 2022]. It coincides perfectly with an order from [Mayor] de Blasio's office and the homeless czar [Director of Homeless Services Steven] Banks [which] told police to stop enforcing subway rules against loitering. The subways became — once again — a de facto homeless shelter. Getting rule-violating homeless people out of the subway in the late ‘80s was such a difficult and major accomplishment at the time, and to be fair it's not as bad as it was.The alternative was that homeless outreach was supposed to offer people services. When they decline, which 95% of people do, you're to leave them be. I would argue again, I don't think that's a more humane stance to take. But it's not just about them, it's about subway riders.There's one story that I think was relevant for you to tell. You were attacked this fall on a subway platform by a guy threatening to kill you. It turns out he's had a number of run-ins with the criminal justice system. Can you tell us where that guy is now?I believe he's in prison now. The only reason I know who it is is because I said, one day I'm going to see his picture in the New York Post because he's going to hurt somebody. Am I 100 percent certain it's Michael Blount who attacked me? No, but I'm willing to call him out by name because I believe it is. He was out of prison for raping a child, and he slashed his ex-girlfriend and pushed her on the subway tracks. And then was on the lam for a while. I look at him and the shape of his face, his height, age, build, complexion, and I go, that's got to be him.I wasn't hurt, but he gave me a sucker punch trying to knock me out and then chased me a bit threatening to kill me, and I believe he wanted to. It's the only time I ever was confronted by a person who I really believe wanted to kill me, and this includes policing in the Eastern District in Baltimore. It was an attempted misdemeanor assault in the long run. But I knew it wasn't about me. It was him. I assume he's going to stay in prison longer for what he did to his ex-girlfriend. But I never thought it would happen to me. I was lucky the punch didn't connect.Peter Moskos's new book is Back from the Brink, Inside the NYPD and New York City's Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop.My reading listEssays:Johnny Hirschauer's reporting, including “A Failed 'Solution' to 'America's Mental Health Crisis',“ “Return to the Roots,” and “The Last Institutions.” “Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety,” by George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson. ​“It's Time to Talk About America's Disorder Problem,” Charles Lehman.Books:Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America, Jill Leovy.​Prince of the City: Giuliani, New York, and the Genius of American Life, Fred Siegel.​ Cop in the Hood: My Year Policing Baltimore's Eastern District, Peter Moskos.​Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic, Sam Quinones.​Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub

The lack of mental health services in Wexford is a growing concern, leaving many without the support they desperately need. Cllr. John Dwyer, a dedicated advocate for improved mental health care, joins the conversation to highlight the challenges facing our community. He shares his concerns, discusses the impact on those affected, and outlines practical solutions to ensure better services for those in need.

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Why do the strongest people often suffer in silence? Why are smart, successful women—and men—breaking down behind closed doors while still showing up for everyone else?In this episode, Dr. Taz MD sits down with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and leading mental health researcher, to explore the truth about high-functioning depression—what it looks like, who it affects, and why it's rising fast.Dr. Judith shares her personal journey from anesthesiology to psychiatry, what she learned through therapy, and how it changed her life. Together, they unpack the emotional toll of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the pressure to "keep it all together."Dr. Judith also introduces her transformative Five V's Method—Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, and Vision—a holistic framework to help you thrive through anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. The episode covers the impact of trauma, culture, food, tech, relationships, and even parenting styles on mental health.If you or someone you love is feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or simply “numb,” this conversation could be the wake-up call you need.00:00 - Introduction02:42 - Dr. Judith's Journey to Psychiatry07:42 - The Importance of Therapy14:13 - The Five V's to Thriving22:12 - Cultural Influences on Mental Health30:18 - Nutritional Psychiatry and Brain Health31:36 - The Role of Relationships in Longevity34:34 - Celebrating Small Wins and Joy35:49 - Innovations in Psychiatry41:02 - Mental Health in Children and Teens50:48 - Research on High-Functioning DepressionAbout Dr. Judith JosephDr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, professor, speaker, and leading voice in the mental health space. She chairs the Women in Medicine Initiative at Columbia University and is the founder of Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, where she's currently leading groundbreaking research on high-functioning depression. Dr. Judith is also the author of the upcoming book High-Functioning Depression, which will be released in March 2025. She's been featured on Oprah Daily, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more—and recently spoke at the White House and on Capitol Hill about emotional well-being in medicine and modern society. Common Questions This Episode AnswersWhat is high-functioning depression?Can you be depressed and still be productive?Why do strong women and professionals hide their mental health struggles?What are the early warning signs of burnout or emotional exhaustion?How does trauma affect mental health even if you don't “look” traumatized?What is the “Five V's” method for mental health?How do diet and relationships impact depression and anxiety?Is there a link between perfectionism and depression?How do cultural beliefs and expectations shape our emotional health?What is nutritional psychiatry and how can food help with mental health?Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribeSubscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsFollow Dr. Taz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/Join the conversation on X: https://x.com/@drtazmdTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtazmdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtazmd/Connect with Dr. Judith:https://drjudithjoseph.com/https://www.instagram.com/drjudithjoseph/Host & Production TeamHost: Dr. Taz; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Lead Producer: Lauren Feighan; Editors: Jeremiah Schultz and Patrick Edwards)Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+

In this powerful episode, Jess sits down with renowned developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld to unpack the growing mental health crisis among children today. Dr. Neufeld shares how children are losing their ability to feel deeply, struggling to engage in true play, and searching for belonging in all the wrong places. He challenges our desire to raise independent kids, calling it “one of the most ridiculous things,” and instead emphasizes the critical role of connection and attachment. You'll walk away with a deeper understanding of why you are the answer to your child's struggles—and how to step fully into your role as a confident, compassionate leader in your home. This is a conversation that could truly change the way you parent. Don't miss it.Hear more from Dr. Gordon Neufeld in his book Hold On to Your Kids. Check out Dr. Neufeld's online courses for parents, educators, and professionals at the Neufeld Institute. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We'd love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First  Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Leslie is joined by Dr. Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. The pair discusses Dr. Estreet's op-ed for Salon, titled, "Trump's Executive Orders Are Exacerbating the Country's Mental Health Crisis." (link here: https://www.salon.com/2025/03/12/executive-orders-are-exacerbating-the-countrys-mental-health/) Dr. Estreet earned a bachelor's in science in psychology from Bowie State University, an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University, a doctorate in social work at Morgan State University, and an MBA at the University Maryland-College Park. He has been a professor and chair of the Master of Social Work Program at Morgan State University since 2013. Estreet is also founder and chief executive officer of Next Step Treatment Center in Baltimore, which provides substance use treatment and mental health services. The website for the NASW is SocialWorkers.org and you can follow them on BlueSky, where their handle is @naswsocialworkers.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Dr. Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. The pair discusses Dr. Estreet's op-ed for Salon, titled, "Trump's Executive Orders Are Exacerbating the Country's Mental Health Crisis." (link here: https://www.salon.com/2025/03/12/executive-orders-are-exacerbating-the-countrys-mental-health/) Dr. Estreet earned a bachelor's in science in psychology from Bowie State University, an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University, a doctorate in social work at Morgan State University, and an MBA at the University Maryland-College Park. He has been a professor and chair of the Master of Social Work Program at Morgan State University since 2013. Estreet is also founder and chief executive officer of Next Step Treatment Center in Baltimore, which provides substance use treatment and mental health services. The website for the NASW is SocialWorkers.org and you can follow them on BlueSky, where their handle is @naswsocialworkers.bsky.social.

In this conversation, Justin discusses the importance of reducing stigma around mental health, the role of therapists, and the individual differences in therapy. He explores the impact of social media on mental health awareness, the intersection of politics and mental health, and the unique experiences of grief. Justin emphasizes the need for authenticity in relationships, the importance of community support, and shares insights from influential books that have shaped his perspective. He also addresses coping with anxiety and burnout, and the cultural perspectives on work and rest.To get in touch with Justin: https://www.amoderntherapist.com/Dr. Puder's Podcasts: https://www.amoderntherapist.com/podcastChapters00:00Reducing Stigma in Mental Health03:01The Role of Therapists and Individual Differences05:50Navigating Social Media and Mental Health09:05Politics and Mental Health Advocacy11:53The Impact of Trauma and Grief15:05Coping with Anxiety and Burnout18:03Cultural Perspectives on Work and Rest21:11Authenticity in Relationships23:58Books That Shape Perspectives26:45The Importance of Community Support29:33Future Directions in Mental Health ConversationsAbout the Host:Keresse Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, intuitive empath, and professional Tarot reader. Through the Diary of an Empath podcast, she explores topics like mental health, spirituality, and personal development, aiming to guide listeners on their healing and growth journeys. Stay Connected: • Website: therapeutichealingbyreese.com • Instagram: @keresse • Facebook: Therapeutic Healing by Reese • TikTok: @DiaryofanEmpathPodcastIf you like this podcast please leave me a review and rate!For more info on my services such as Tarot readings please visit my website at www.therapeutichealingbyreese.com

In this powerful episode  with Aly Vredenburgh, an author, researcher, and mental health advocate who is shedding light on the systemic failures fueling Gen Z's mental health crisis. Aly is the author of Out of Focus: Why Gen Z's Mental Health Crisis is More Complex Than You Think and is currently producing the documentary series Crisis Generation. Episode Summary   Mental health struggles are often treated as individual problems, but Aly argues that society-wide issues like healthcare access, economic instability, and social disconnection play a major role. We discuss the impact of social media, the stigma still surrounding mental health, and how urban planning and lifestyle changes have worsened the isolation crisis. Aly shares key policy shifts needed for real change and practical steps individuals can take to support themselves and others. About the Guest – Aly Vredenburgh   Aly holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Social Innovation from the University of San Diego. She is a passionate advocate for mental health reform and is on a mission to expose the gaps in our systems that leave young people struggling in silence. Key Takeaways:   ✔ Mental health is a societal issue—we need systemic reform, not just self-care.✔ Social media is both a tool and a trap—it can connect people but also fuels escapism.✔ Stigma remains a major barrier despite increased awareness.✔ Prevention is lacking—schools and communities need more resources.✔ Everyday actions matter—including others, practicing empathy, and fostering real-life connections can create real change. Connect with Aly Vredenburgh:   Book:Out of Focus Documentary:Crisis Generation Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?   DM Saima on PodMatch: Send a Message Here Stay Tuned & Follow Us!  

With antidepressant use on the rise, concerns over adverse effects, addiction, and pharma influence grow. Discover the hidden truths behind antidepressants and explore safer, natural alternatives for mental wellbeing.

Carmel Clay Schools is apologizing for antisemitic language that appeared in a display as part of an international festival earlier this month. Music teachers, lawmakers and education advocates put on a show at the Indiana Statehouse Monday afternoon in support of public school funding. A new program is working to make Central Indiana a popular home base for remote workers. A new initiative aims to expand mental health crisis response teams throughout the state. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Karen Foley is the CEO of JPA Chicago, a non-profit, which provides mental and emotional health resources in classrooms, homes, and communities. We discuss COVID-19's effects, social media's impact, and the mental health staff shortage, along with tips for educators and teachers. Find Karen on Linkedin and https://jpachicago.org/ Free Quiz: What career outside of the classroom is right for you? Explore the course that has helped thousands of teachers successfully transition out of the classroom and into new careers: The Teacher Career Coach Course Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We need a recovery of the sacred in our secular world. Because the mental, emotional, and psychological struggles haunting society right now can't be solved without addressing meaning, purpose, and the longing for connection to something beyond ourselves.In other words, spiritual health is an essential part of mental health.An attorney, religious scholar, and university chaplain, Dr. Varun Soni is Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, and is leading us back to our true north, through spacious and life-giving spiritual conversations and sacred practices that realign us to our values and identity.In this conversation with Varun Soni, we discuss:Finding the sacred in our secular culture.Religious pluralism and what it means to build trust that reaches across religious lines of difference.The transformative power of finding your “truth north”—your North Star—to orient our journeys of faith and spirituality.Varun shares six pillars of flourishing; how to align our actions with our values; and the benefit of listening to the cultural narratives and stories we tell.He reflects on the missing elements of spirituality in our understanding of mental health today, evidenced in his work with teens and emerging adults.He offers us a Hindu meditative practice to provide inner clarity, stability, and calm.And he comments on compassion and a cultivation sacred spiritual practices to counteract the loneliness, anguish, and suffering in our world.Show NotesDr. Pam King welcomes Varun Soni, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at USCJourney from Hindu attorney to first Hindu Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life in the U.S.“What does it mean to be Indian? What does it mean to be Hindu? What does it mean to be American? What is this Indian American experience?”1965 Immigration and Naturalization ActInspired by grandfather's connection to Mahatma Gandhi“ What it meant to be Hindu was to be like Gandhi. What it meant to be Indian was to be like Gandhi. What it meant to live a meaningful life was to live like Gandhi.”“ I continued to study religion as a way of understanding myself.”Sitting with the Dalai Lama on Mahatma Gandhi's birthdayMentorship from the Dalai LamaDeepak Chopra's influence“Interfaith trust building”University ChaplaincyWhat is thriving to you?"Thriving is the alignment of purpose and practice—it's not about arriving, but about moving in the right direction."“What is my north star, and how do I get there?”Spiritual well-being about asking the right questions, not having all the answersReligion once provided meaning, rituals, and community—now young people seek new structures"What is sacred to you? If you can't answer that, you're drifting without a compass."The urgency of time when turning 50 years old“I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone anymore.”“Put the process before the answer.”6 pillars of thriving and well-being: diet, sleep, exercise, contemplative practice, emotional intelligence, connection to natureBasic physical pillars of thriving: Diet, Sleep, ExerciseSpiritual pillars of thriving: Contemplation, Emotional Intelligence, and Communing with NatureFinding what is sacred—faith, relationships, personal values51% of USC students non-religious, 80% spiritualRecord levels of loneliness, imposter syndrome, comparison culture“Not just a mental health crisis, but a spiritual health crisis.”Loss of intergenerational religious experiences—key protective factor against depression"We took away religion and replaced it with social media, then wondered why anxiety skyrocketed."Social media fuels disconnection rather than community"We weren't built for this much bad news. Our brains weren't designed to process global suffering 24/7."“There's no right way to do contemplative practice.”Find moments built into your dayExercise: So Hum breath meditation: Inhale “So,” exhale “Hum”Using meditation as a spiritual technology or tool"You are not your thoughts—you are the awareness behind them."Identity shaped by personal narrative—"If you don't like your story, rewrite it."Telling the story of who you will become"Every individual is the hero of their own journey, whether they realize it or not."Cultural mythology, from sacred texts to Marvel movies, reflects search for meaningSpirituality helps build redemptive life narratives“There power in being part of something bigger.”The Spiritual Child by Lisa Miller—research on spirituality and mental health"It's hard to hate the people you love—universities are one of the last places where people can learn to love each other across differences."Technology and mediated relationshipsWhat is sacred to you?"Gen Z's greatest superpower is empathy, but they've never been lonelier."Building protective factors for young peopleGratitude rituals shift focus from anxiety to appreciationCare, justice, and connectionMental Health CrisisMental Health and Spiritual HealthAwe-inspiring moments—nature, music, relationships—essential to well-being"Awe, wonder, and gratitude aren't luxuries—they're survival tools."“You can't doom-scroll your way to joy. Presence and connection matter.”Religious institutions declining, but human need for transcendence remainsCreating new rituals and meaning-making for a secular generation"Spiritual health is just as important as mental health—ignore it, and you miss a key part of the equation."What is your North Star? What gets you up in the morning?How do your daily practices align purpose and action?How do the stories you tell shape your identity and thriving?Try So Hum meditation as a daily mindfulness practiceEngage in one act of gratitude—write a note, express appreciation, savor a momentIt's all too easy to fragment our lives into secular and sacred, but thriving and spiritual health require wholeness and integration of every aspect of ourselves, including our faith and spirituality.Future generations of leaders need our guidance and support in their connection to community and their search for meaning, purpose, and hope.Keep your seat-belt firmly fastened, your seat-back upright, tray table stowed, and secure your own spiritual oxygen mask before assisting others.We can counteract the outrage, anxiety, and information overload with simple, daily practices that bring stability and clarity.We thrive when we align our actions and our values, our behavior with our beliefs, and our practices with our purpose.About Varun SoniVarun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. He received his B.A. degree in Religion from Tufts University, where he also earned an Asian Studies minor and completed the Program in Peace and Justice Studies. He subsequently received his M.T.S. degree from Harvard Divinity School and his M.A. degree through the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He went on to receive his J.D. degree from University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where he also completed the Critical Race Studies Program and served as an editor for the Journal of Islamic and Near Eastern Law. He earned his Ph.D. through the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town, where his doctoral research focused on religion and popular culture. As an undergraduate student, Dean Soni spent a semester living in a Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya, India through Antioch University's Buddhist Studies Program. As a graduate student, he spent months doing field research in South Asia through UCSB's Center for Sikh and Punjab Studies.Dean Soni is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg's Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin. He produced the critically acclaimed graphic novel Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary by Keshni Kashyap, which is currently being adapted as a feature length film. He also produced and hosted his own radio show on KPFK-Pacifica that showcased music from South Asia and its diaspora. In 2009, he was one of the organizers of the historic Concert for Pakistan, a benefit concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall featuring Salman Ahmad, Sting, Outlandish, Jeff Skoll, Deepak Chopra, and Melissa Etheridge.Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Future45, and the Parliament of the World's Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world. About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter About Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Bob Smith discusses his extensive experience in primary care mental health and the importance of patient-centered interviewing skills. He highlights the crisis in mental health care, particularly the lack of training for primary care doctors to recognize and treat mental health issues. We also explore the historical context of the mind-body split in medicine, its implications for mental health care, and the need for better integration of mental health services within the healthcare system. He emphasizes the significance of recognizing co-occurring disorders, the mind-body connection in chronic pain, and the stigma surrounding mental health in medical settings. We also touch on the role of emotions in health and the importance of spirituality and self-actualization in the healing process.Send us a text

About this episode: Traditional police work has struggled to meet the needs of cities like Rapid City, South Dakota. Often, police are called to address situations that are related to mental health crises, homelessness, and substance use. In this episode: Rapid City's Chief of Police, Don Hedrick talks about what it means to police with public health in mind, the success of partnerships and outreach, and how a nontraditional approach helped Rapid City address an influx of violent crime. Guest: Don Hedrick is the Chief of Police of Rapid City, South Dakota and a Bloomberg Fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. Show links and related content: Law Enforcement With A Public Health Lens—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS fee

Looking 4 Healing Radio with Dr. Benjamin Benulis – With anxiety, depression, and PTSD at an all-time high, the conventional mental health system is failing. Dr. Ben and Ramsina expose why psychotropic drugs and talk therapy often fall short and reveal a powerful approach to true emotional healing. Discover how to break free from suffering and reclaim mental wellness in this eye-opening conversation.